TEDDY AND ALICE A musical play in 2 acts, a prelude and 15 scenes. Music by John Philip Sousa, adapted and with original music by Richard Kapp; lyrics by Hal Hackady; book by Jerome Alden. Artisitc Consultant - Alan Jay Lerner Opened 12 November, 1987 - Minskoff Theatre - (77 Perfs) SYNOPSIS This rousing musical on the life and family of Theodore Roosevelt, one of the great American presidents, features four wonderful principal roles, five Roosevelt children, amusing character parts (including Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt) and a large, flexible chorus. STORY: ACT I After the Overture the curtain rises to reveal the facade of the Executive Mansion. 1901. The atmosphere has a dark, dingy, cluttered Victorian look. Delicate pieces of black crepe cover the windows and furniture. A portrait of the late President McKinley is draped in black. Edith Roosevelt enters, followed by all the Roosevelt children, (Ted, 16; Kermit, 14; Ethel, 12; Archie, 9; Quentin, 7) carrying various toys, animals, books and belongings. Finally Theodore Roosevelt charges onstage - he looks over room and observes the sad atmosphere. He tells everyone (reporters included) that though it is sad about President McKinley's untimely passing, he has a job to do getting the country back in shape. The reporters do question Roosevelt about political issues; however, what they are most interested in is the behaviour of his daughter, Alice, who has been seen smoking in public and betting at the racetracks. Rather than respond to either issue, general chaos seems to reign as Teddy plays football with his kids. The other politicians watching are horrified as they realise that this man is now president of the United States. By the end of the scene, Teddy has all the black crepe pulled down and the house transformed into the bright place we know today. Later, in the White House garden, there is the sound of a 1901 automobile speeding by. A Stanley Steamer driven by Alice (with Eleanor Roosevelt, Nick Longworth and Franklin Roosevelt along for the ride) comes into the yard and crashes into a tree. An officer writes out a summons for Alice - driving fifteen miles per hour in a ten mile zone. It appears that all the havoc was caused because Alice's pet snake got loose in the front seat. Teddy enters to survey the situation. It appears that Alice and Eleanor were over at the House listening to the debate on the Panama Canal. There, they met Congressman Nick Longworth who offered them a lift home and Alice asked to drive. They all argue with Teddy about the building of the canal, and finally the President gets them to remove the car from the lawn while having a little talk with the policeman. The reporters question Alice about her crazy behaviour. When asked about possibly marrying Senator Longworth, Alice reminds everyone that she has a lot to do before settling down. In the President's Office, Teddy takes out a large rolled up map and lays it on the floor. He and his cabinet members begin discussing the crisis in Panama. Just how are they going to deal with the reluctant Columbians as they attempt to have the Panama Canal built? Unfortunately, everything seems to stop when Alice comes in to talk with her father. Not only is she seeking permission to have a coming-out party in the Rose Garden, but she also offers political advice about the Panama Canal and other things that Teddy takes to heart. After Teddy and Alice leave, the cabinet members begin to wonder who's running the country: the President or the Princess. Lights come up to reveal Alice's bedroom on a different day. Alice is talking with Eleanor about her relationship with Nick. Eleanor disapproves of Nick saying that he is far too old - and bald! Alice, on the
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